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Join KraussMaffei for an insightful webinar designed for industry professionals, engineers and anyone interested in the manufacturing processes of PVC pipes. This session will provide a comprehensive understanding of the technology behind the production of high-quality PVC pipes: from raw material preparation to final product testing. Agenda: Introduction to PVC extrusion: overview of the basic principles of PVC pipe extrusion — including the process of melting and shaping PVC resin into pipe forms Equipment and machinery: detailed explanation of the key equipment involved — such as extruders, dies and cooling systems — and their roles in the extrusion process Process parameters: insight into the critical process parameters like temperature, pressure and cooling rates that influence the quality and consistency of the final PVC pipes Energy efficiency: examination of ways to save material and energy use when extruding PVC pipe products

Take a deep dive into all of the various aspects of part quoting to ensure you’ve got all the bases—as in costs—covered before preparing your customer’s quote for services.

While prices moved up for three of the five commodity resins, there was potential for a flat trajectory for the rest of the third quarter.

While the melting process does not provide perfect mixing, this study shows that mixing is indeed initiated during melting.

The aim of this presentation is to guide you through the factors and the numbers that will help you determine if a robot is a smart investment for your application. Agenda:  Why are you considering automation? What problems are you trying to solve? How and why automation can help Crunch the numbers and determine the ROI

technotrans says climate protection, energy efficiency and customization will be key discussion topics at PTXPO as it displays its protemp flow 6 ultrasonic eco and the teco cs 90t 9.1 TCUs.

The modular cleanroom utilizes an HVAC system with a HEPA filter, enabling Rodon to modify the room’s particulate level and class based on a project’s requirements. Clients can choose the cleanroom class that meets their needs and budget, ranging from Class 8 to a white space. Allowing for flexible equipment arrangement, Rodon can also scale operations up or down, fitting six to 15 injection molding presses in the room or incorporating additional work cells.

Renowned screw designer Robert F. Dray wrote to me recently, lamenting that injection molding screw design has not received the kind of attention that the extrusion industry has paid to perfecting this fundamental processing component.

While prices moved up for three of the five commodity resins, there was potential for a flat trajectory for the rest of the third quarter.

Learn about sustainable scrap reprocessing—this resource offers a deep dive into everything from granulator types and options, to service tips, videos and technical articles.

After successfully introducing a combined conference for moldmakers and injection molders in 2022, Plastics Technology and MoldMaking Technology are once again joining forces for a tooling/molding two-for-one.

The data speaks for itself. Replace your general-purpose screws with melt-uniformity screws. You will save time, make your life easier on the shop floor, and make significantly more money.

Second quarter started with price hikes in PE and the four volume engineering resins, but relatively stable pricing was largely expected by the quarter’s end.

Exhibitors and presenters at the plastics show emphasized 3D printing as a complement and aid to more traditional production processes.

Plastics Technology covers technical and business Information for Plastics Processors in Injection Molding, Extrusion, Blow Molding, Plastic Additives, Compounding, Plastic Materials, and Resin Pricing. About Us

When, how, what and why to automate — leading robotics suppliers and forward-thinking moldmakers will share their insights on automating manufacturing at collocated event.

Mike Sepe has authored more than 25 ANTEC papers and more than 250 articles illustrating the importance of this interdisciplanary approach. In this collection, we present some of his best work during the years he has been contributing for Plastics Technology Magazine.

Across the show, sustainability ruled in new materials technology, from polyolefins and engineering resins to biobased materials.

FIG 3 In this barrier screw, note green polymer still in the barrier flight, even after purging. This indicates dead space. (Photo: Joe Cascarano)

Mold maintenance is critical, and with this collection of content we’ve bundled some of the very best advice we’ve published on repairing, maintaining, evaluating and even hanging molds on injection molding machines.

Start by picking a target melt temperature, and double-check data sheets for the resin supplier’s recommendations. Now for the rest...

Modifications to the common core pin can be a simple solution, but don’t expect all resins to behave the same. Gas assist is also worth a try.

Mixed in among thought leaders from leading suppliers to injection molders and mold makers at the 2023 Molding and MoldMaking conferences will be molders and toolmakers themselves.

The fact is that the industry does not have to use GP screws. There are solutions, but be careful who you talk to. When anyone begins to ask machine suppliers and most screw manufactures about these problems, the knee-jerk response is, “Try our barrier screw.”  Proceed cautiously. Figure 3 shows a typical barrier type screw after it was purged. Note the green polymer is still in the barrier flights. Since this is after purging, you can understand that this material stays there during production and will degrade with time. You will get even more degradation and black specks. So, if barrier screws are not the answer, what is?

Join Wittmann for an engaging webinar on the transformative impact of manufacturing execution systems (MES) in the plastic injection molding industry. Discover how MES enhances production efficiency, quality control and real-time monitoring while also reducing downtime. It will explore the integration of MES with existing systems, emphasizing compliance and traceability for automotive and medical sectors. Learn about the latest advancements in IoT and AI technologies and how they drive innovation and continuous improvement in MES. Agenda: Overview of MES benefits What is MES? Definition, role and brief history Historical perspective and evolution Longevity and analytics Connectivity: importance, standards and integration Advantages of MES: efficiency, real-time data, traceability and cost savings Emerging technologies: IoT and AI in MES

Join Engel in exploring the future of battery molding technology. Discover advancements in thermoplastic composites for battery housings, innovative automation solutions and the latest in large-tonnage equipment designed for e-mobility — all with a focus on cost-efficient solutions. Agenda: Learn about cutting-edge thermoplastic composites for durable, sustainable and cost-efficient battery housings Explore advanced automation concepts for efficient and scalable production See the latest large-tonnage equipment and technology innovations for e-mobility solutions

Why is melt uniformity important? Well, you would be hard-pressed to name a single common molding/part problem that melt non-uniformity does not cause or exacerbate. To name a few:

Gifted with extraordinary technical know how and an authoritative yet plain English writing style, in this collection of articles Fattori offers his insights on a variety of molding-related topics that are bound to make your days on the production floor go a little bit better.

Multiple speakers at Molding 2023 will address the ways simulation can impact material substitution decisions, process profitability and simplification of mold design.

Successfully starting or restarting an injection molding machine is less about ticking boxes on a rote checklist and more about individually assessing each processing scenario and its unique variables.

This article is sponsored by The Rodon Group, a company specializing in custom plastic injection molding and precision manufacturing solutions since 1956.

John Bozzelli is the founder of Injection Molding Solutions/Scientific Molding in Midland, Mich., a provider of training and consulting services to injection molders, including LIMS, and other specialties. Contact john@scientificmolding.com.

One striking comment during this webinar was made by Mike Durina, a respected injection molding innovator who runs his own company, MD Plastics. Mike noted that most molders are still relying on “general-purpose” screw designs that go back 30 years. With all of the technical improvements that have been made on machines over that time, nothing has been done to improve melt uniformity. We still use “general-purpose” (GP) screws, which well-known screw designer Bob Dray wisely has called “no-purpose” screws. That is they do not melt plastic uniformly. Processing with a uniformly melted plastic would seem like a high priority, but it has seen little if any attention. This needs to change.

"Now more than ever, it’s imperative that we bring manufacturing back to the U.S.,” says Dave Steen, Rodon’s QC manager. "With Rodon’s state-of-the-art Class 8 cleanroom — now a Class B modular cleanroom — we can help do just that, not only for medical device, pharmaceutical, and food and beverage companies but anyone who needs a clean-environment part for secondary operations.”

Plastics Technology’s Tech Days is back! Every Tuesday in October, a series of five online presentations will be given by industry supplier around the following topics:  Injection Molding — New Technologies, Efficiencies Film Extrusion — New Technologies, Efficiencies Upstream/Downstream Operations Injection Molding — Sustainability Extrusion — Compounding Coming out of NPE2024, PT identified a variety of topics, technologies and trends that are driving and shaping the evolution of plastic products manufacturing — from recycling/recyclability and energy optimization to AI-based process control and automation implementation. PT Tech Days is designed to provide a robust, curated, accessible platform through which plastics professionals can explore these trends, have direct access to subject-matter experts and develop strategies for applying solutions in their operations.

This Knowledge Center provides an overview of the considerations needed to understand the purchase, operation, and maintenance of a process cooling system.

Formnext Chicago is an industrial additive manufacturing expo taking place April 8-10, 2025 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. Formnext Chicago is the second in a series of Formnext events in the U.S. being produced by Mesago Messe Frankfurt, AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, and Gardner Business Media (our publisher).

Say “manufacturing automation” and thoughts immediately go to the shop floor and specialized production equipment, robotics and material handling systems. But there is another realm of possible automation — the front office.

Despite price increase nominations going into second quarter, it appeared there was potential for generally flat pricing with the exception of a major downward correction for PP.

Improvements in nozzle design in recent years overcome some of the limitations of previous filter, mixing, and shut-off nozzles.

So what does it take to get melt uniformity? Start with a melt model of a GP screw shown in Fig. 1. As shown, all of the pellets often do not melt, and the resulting solids-bed breakup provides for poor mixing and degradation (as well as causing the problems listed above). Also, it is common for the plastic in areas where the flights mate with the root diameter to stagnate and degrade. Figure 2 shows the typical polymer degradation often seen when a screw is pulled for cleaning or repair. While I do not have actual stats, my experience is that a minimum of 50% to 80% of all machines running today exhibit this problem. Even if it is only 25%, it still rates as a major problem in our molding industry. Why does the industry put up with this? Do you have to put up with this?

Core Technology Molding turned to Mold-Masters E-Multi auxiliary injection unit to help it win a job and dramatically change its process.

In this collection of content, we provide expert advice on welding from some of the leading authorities in the field, with tips on such matters as controls, as well as insights on how to solve common problems in welding.

Processors with sustainability goals or mandates have a number of ways to reach their goals. Biopolymers are among them.

Back in the late 1980s I was fortunate enough to have worked on a company-sponsored research program to solve problems of mixing color concentrates into natural resins. After spending one-and-a-half years and over $200,000 on around 10 different barrier screw designs that did not work, we developed a melt-uniformity screw (Fig. 4). It was not a barrier screw. This “melt uniformity” screw passed rigorous instrumental requirements for color distribution and uniformity. Further we trialed it in seven different production machines making complex parts for six months. The results were impressive (see accompanying table).

August 29-30 in Minneapolis all things injection molding and moldmaking will be happening at the Hyatt Regency — check out who’s speaking on what topics today.

"Rodon’s cleanroom is the latest investment in reshoring manufacturing in the critical healthcare supply chain,” explains Michael Araten, company president. "Rodon has been committed to American manufacturing for almost 70 years, and our team is excited to couple our ISO 13485 certification with our cleanroom to bring advanced precision manufacturing solutions to our customers.”

Only one major problem: Today, I cannot find a shop to make this design properly. Believe it or not, I took a print to a screw shop in Michigan and their response was, “No, we will not make it…a high-school student could do a better design.” Seriously, if anyone knows of a good small shop that makes screws, let me know. I need to replace what I have.

In this collection, which is part one of a series representing some of John’s finest work, we present you with five articles that we think you will refer to time and again as you look to solve problems, cut cycle times and improve the quality of the parts you mold.

In November 2020 as part of its Tech Days webinar series, Plastics Technology hosted a session on “Establishing & Maintaining a Robust Molding Process,” in which I participated. During this webinar there was a short discussion on new injection molding machines, which spurred a conversation about screw design and melt uniformity, one of my pet topics within the molding industry.

Building, certifying, and maintaining a controlled cleanroom environment in a manufacturing facility can be quite costly. To help clients capitalize on cleanroom manufacturing without investing that time and expense or having to send work overseas, The Rodon Group has built an ISO Class 8-capable cleanroom for its injection molding operations.

Not convinced? Mike Sepe, a noted materials expert and fellow Plastics Technology columnist, actually purchased one of these screws when he worked for a molder. He wrote about his experience in an April 2012 column check out what Sepe has to say about it: “When we put in the new screw the melt temperatures were reduced by 60º F and the backpressure came down from 300 psi to 75 psi hydraulic. The problems with color incorporation and unmelt disappeared; the cycle time was reduced; and the periodic screw cleanings stopped. The screw paid for itself in seven months and started a revolution within the operation that eventually saw general-purpose screws replaced with mixing screws throughout the plant. The number of ‘material problems’ and ‘processing problems’ that simply disappeared was a revelation.”

Screw design, pellet type/size and material behavior are all critical issues to consider to deliver uniform melt to the mold.

The company uses FDA-grade materials and operates over 115 presses and robotic systems in its Hatfield, Pennsylvania, facility. In addition to cleanroom manufacturing, Rodon’s services range from toolmaking and mold design to high-volume custom injection molding.

While the major correction in PP prices was finally underway, generally stable pricing was anticipated for the other four commodity resins.

Additive technology creates air pockets in film during orientation, cutting down on the amount of resin needed while boosting opacity, mechanical properties and recyclability.

In a time where sustainability is no longer just a buzzword, the food and beverage packaging industry is required to be at the forefront of this innovation. By adopting circular packaging processes and solutions, producers can meet regulatory requirements while also satisfying consumer demand and enhancing brand reputation. Join Husky to learn more about the broader implications of the circular economy — as well as how leading brands are leveraging this opportunity to reduce costs, increase design flexibility and boost product differentiation. Agenda: The cost and operational benefits of embracing circularity Key materials in circular packaging — including rPET and emerging bioplastics How to design a circular food and beverage package Strategies for selecting sustainable closures to future-proof packaging solutions Optimization and streamlining of production processes for enhanced efficiency How Husky Technologies can enable your sustainable success

Resin drying is a crucial, but often-misunderstood area. This collection includes details on why and what you need to dry, how to specify a dryer, and best practices.

Across all process types, sustainability was a big theme at NPE2024. But there was plenty to see in automation and artificial intelligence as well.

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has released final figures for NPE2024: The Plastics Show (May 6-10; Orlando) that officially make it the largest ever NPE in several key metrics.

Ultradent's entry of its Umbrella cheek retractor took home the awards for Technical Sophistication and Achievement in Economics and Efficiency at PTXPO.

Join this webinar to explore the transformative benefits of retrofitting your existing injection molding machines (IMMs). Engel will guide you through upgrading your equipment to enhance monitoring, control and adaptability — all while integrating digital technologies. You'll learn about the latest trends in IMM retrofitting (including Euromap interfaces and plasticizing retrofits) and discover how to future-proof your machines for a competitive edge. With insights from industry experts, it'll walk you through the decision-making process, ensuring you make informed choices that drive your business forward. Agenda: Maximize the value of your current IMMs through strategic retrofitting Learn how to integrate digital technologies to enhance monitoring and control Explore the benefits of Euromap interfaces and plasticizing retrofits Understand how retrofitting can help meet new product demands and improve adaptability Discover how Engel can support your retrofitting needs, from free consultations to execution

This month’s resin pricing report includes PT’s quarterly check-in on select engineering resins, including nylon 6 and 66.

In this collection of articles, two of the industry’s foremost authorities on screw design — Jim Frankand and Mark Spalding — offer their sage advice on screw design...what works, what doesn’t, and what to look for when things start going wrong.

Discover how artifical intelligence is revolutionizing plastics processing. Hear from industry experts on the future impact of AI on your operations and envision a fully interconnected plant.

Introduced by Zeiger and Spark Industries at the PTXPO, the nozzle is designed for maximum heat transfer and uniformity with a continuous taper for self cleaning.

Sustainability continues to dominate new additives technology, but upping performance is also evident. Most of the new additives have been targeted to commodity resins and particularly polyolefins.

In this three-part collection, veteran molder and moldmaker Jim Fattori brings to bear his 40+ years of on-the-job experience and provides molders his “from the trenches” perspective on on the why, where and how of venting injection molds. Take the trial-and-error out of the molding venting process.